I need to replace the pitman on my 98 F150.
Anyone know the size of the nut that holds the splined end to the steering box.

 

I used a 1 5/16" combinatin end wrench. Although it did the job, the wrench felt a little big. I did a quick conversion and the nut seems to be a 33mm. Go figure.

 

I used an 18" adjustable wrench.

 

I use a 6 point 1 5/16" socket on a long extension. To get the pitman arm off the gear is another story. You usualy have to loosen up the gear and turn it sideways and use a pitman arm puller. I found the tube shaped one that Snap-on sells works best. Or if you have a die grinder just cut almost all the way through the front side of the arm, stick a large chisel in the grove, smack it with a hammer and crack the arm. Then it slides right off.

 

Don't even get me started on getting the pitman arm off the steering gear shaft. I had to take the gearbox off the frame and heat the pitman arm until it was red-hot then use a puller to separate the two. I would have taken the gearbox out of the truck but couldn't figure out how to separate the gearbox from the steering column. Then to top it off I stripped the threads on the steering gear shaft which the 1 5/16" nut threads on to. Moral of the story...don't let me change the pitman arm on your truck.

Damn, now I'm all pissed off just thinking about it.

 

I know this is an old thread but I figured I'll update some information since I'm rebuilding my front suspension and others might continue to visit this page in the future for the same reasons. I needed to know what socket size to use for the Pitman Arm nut and I want to confirm that a 33mm worked best for me. In my search for sockets, I found that a 33mm is easier to find in stores than a 1-5/16" socket. I also noticed that all of the 1-5/16" sockets I found were 3/4" drive but the 33mm was available in a 1/2" drive. Even though you can use an adapter I prefer to use the 1/2" drive impact sockets.
I didn't try a 1-5/16" socket on the nut so I cannot verify the fit but I can say for certain that a 33mm is a perfect fit.

 

I have a 98 Expedition 2WD - same steering box as the 150. After 250K miles, I have to change the Pitman arm. My 1 1/2 socket is too large and my 1 1/4 socket is too small. So before I head to the store to get the correct socket, I used a dial caliper to measure the Pitman arm to steering box nut. The actual size as measured is 1.287 which means I can use either a 1 5/15" (which is 1.3125" )or converted to mm it is 32.698 so I can also use a 33mm. Just for the heck-of-it, I put a large cresent wrench on the nut and pushed the wrench with my foot. Surprise! the nut actually broke loose. I'll still purchase the correct socket so that I can apply the correct torque of 200 ft lbs on installation.

 

feels bad man but probably not as bad as this... I was cutting the pitman arm because.. yeah you guessed it the pitman arm puller they sell at your local parts house is junk. well i cut way to deep and went into the actual steering box's shaft..

 

I know ... old thread ... but I've done this on my '77 F150, just remove the big nut, apply the puller and tighten it up good, but do not expect it to just yank the PA off, just set it good & tight. You can then hit the PA with a hammer to set up some vibrations. Go eat supper. Chances are the PA and puller will be in the floor when you come back.

 

Spraying it with penetrating oil and letting it sit a while might help also.

 

Use a 1 5/16 wrench.
To remove the arm:
Get a puller at Autozone. You will need to move the gearbox to the side, then using a strong impact wrench on the puller the arm will break loose.,